Less Alcohol - JULY 2019 - One Day at a Time
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I just love this group, y'all are so genuine and open with your thoughts, accomplishments, and sometimes slip-ups. I don't post often, but do read many of your posts. I am not aiming for AF, just much less. My main problem is I will plan on just one long pour, but then it leads to so much more, then I have conversations that I cannot recall at all! So far I have had a good start for July, 1 long pour on Wed, and I really used my powers to stop at 1. Then just one shot early yesterday, then only water after that. Such a nice feeling to remember a holiday celebration with friends & family... had a great day, no regrets this morning. I am also doing this to help with losing some lbs, as like some of you, when I drink I eat way too much junk, and don't even remember what all I ate! Happy July Everyone!6
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I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )
May - 18 AF days
June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time.
July 01 - AF
July 02 - AF - Guess that I will start my tally at the bottom : - ) I realize now that 16AF days (4 per week) in a 31 day month is like having drinks every second day!
July 03 - AF - Today was no problem to be AF, but yesterday was a long hard day and I really felt like kicking back and having a couple of drinks - I just didn't. I even bought some of that fake beer that I have heard some of you talking about (I got Grolsch) - but it didn't occur to me to go to the fridge and have it. I am not a beer drinker, so I guess that it wouldn't have really been a substitute for a brandy or a glass of red wine : - P
July 04 - 3 drinks
July 05 - AF
Running total: 4 AF days out of 5 days so far.3 -
Now that I’ve cut way the hell back in alcohol, my tolerance has plummeted. I guess that’s a good thing!
@Womona I have found this to be true also. And it is a GOOD thing.
Kind of like a smoke alarm going off before everything bursts into flames.
I can feel the buzz at one drink now and know nothing worth the pain will come if I keep sucking them down.
BTW you are doing great in this journey.4 -
I love coming in here and reading how everyone's faring, especially over the holiday weekend. I had ONE beer last night--we went to my parents' for a cookout and backyard fireworks.
@renpup nice work keeping it under control on the holiday with knowing there was more beer just a step away but you kept away. 👍4 -
Lazy_Bones_85 wrote: »So it's very important to me to not drink a lot and derail my weight loss efforts.
@Lazy_Bones_85 I like your term DERAIL. it can be just like a run away train we have lost control of. I am amazed that now that I rarely drink, my weight has dropped around 8 pounds (since September) which is so much better on my knees.
Keep up the good work.3 -
I am not much of drinker, less than social you can say since I would typically have 1-2 mixed drinks and the heartburn would start. I finally went to the doctor in March to get it checked out and I am finally on my last two weeks of medication.
My husband's birthday is in August so I may partake in 1-2 drinks and see how I am feeling because the doctor suggested I still limit my intake until our follow-up in September.
I have been AF since March 15th 2019 and I hope I am welcome here because I don't want to become a person who relies on alcohol after a long stressful day. I have seen firsthand how this can affect your life.
Welcome @syreina nice to have you here. Less is less to us no matter how you count it at your own pace. Hope you can get the heartburn issue resolved. That is never fun.3 -
looneycatblue wrote: »I just love this group, y'all are so genuine and open with your thoughts, accomplishments, and sometimes slip-ups. I don't post often, but do read many of your posts. I am not aiming for AF, just much less. My main problem is I will plan on just one long pour, but then it leads to so much more, then I have conversations that I cannot recall at all! So far I have had a good start for July, 1 long pour on Wed, and I really used my powers to stop at 1. Then just one shot early yesterday, then only water after that. Such a nice feeling to remember a holiday celebration with friends & family... had a great day, no regrets this morning. I am also doing this to help with losing some lbs, as like some of you, when I drink I eat way too much junk, and don't even remember what all I ate! Happy July Everyone!
@looneycatblue long time no see. Glad to have you popping back in. Oh those alcohol munchies are wicked. Do what feels right for you.😁3 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week.
Running total: 4 AF days out of 5 days so far.
@dawnbgethealthy LOOKS LIKE YOU DID IT. woot-woot2 -
Back on track! Only one drink (planned) at dinner out last night, and my weight is finally coming down!
Welcome @syreina !!! Welcome back @looneycatblue !4 -
7/4 - AF
7/5 - bad
We came home to my dog with a bald spot on her butt, she chewed into another hotspot and pulled her hair out over it again! My poor girl did the same thing a few weeks ago and it was so bad. Its definitely stress from everything, she's very sensitive. Well needless to say we caved into the stress and drank. But we observed just how quick we are to drink to relieve the stress. That is the goal now. Find new things to do when that moment of stress hits. Today's goal is to not drink until tonight if I want a drink I will limit to one to sip on. Same for Sunday. Give myself the weekend to come up with a plan for myself. Ideally I want to be AF weekdays and only drink weekends. But to get to that point I want to find what works best for me. I guess this month I dont have much a plan, rather to just see how many AF days I can pump out!?
Thank you all for your kind words and a really awesome welcome back! To feel the care and remembrance really motivated me to do better. To make myself apart of this group again and my old lifestyle!5 -
7/4 - AF
7/5 - bad
Thank you all for your kind words and a really awesome welcome back! To feel the care and remembrance really motivated me to do better. To make myself apart of this group again and my old lifestyle!
Sorry to hear your pup gave herself a painful sore. Mine are like my kids....well ok, they are my kids as I have no human children. Lol.
It is never easy to see them go through stress or pain.
The good news is, it sounds as if you and someone else are trying to drink less together? Or at least recognizing what triggers the drinking urge at times?
You have your foot in the door, so that is a good direction.4 -
Inspiring reading everyone's victories and struggles, and I echo the thanks to @MissMay (our host here--not the famous shark :-)). I'm on a break until/unless I learn to moderate and 8 days AF and there are times it's getting so much easier then not. Dealing with some emotions I've tried to drink down in the past--I don't even know what they all are, or if I do, how to solve them, or come to a resolution that I can't. A conflict avoider by nature, I don't deal easily with anything that involves conflict--esp in a relationship--but know it's crucial and normal. So have had some relationship arguments--my stubborn side says they aren't any better sober than drunk. But I know better. For one, I remember them, lol. For another, I'm taken more seriously. Right now I'm upset enough to not want to eat--so that's another positive (though already losing weight merely by cutting out alcohol). Though have also been extremely emotional, so that's not helping my logic, but think it's normal after not drinking for a period of time. Anyway, just wanted to share some of the struggles that might be encountered when taking a break--painful, but anything worth anything involves discomfort. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!4
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7/4 - AF
7/5 - bad
Thank you all for your kind words and a really awesome welcome back! To feel the care and remembrance really motivated me to do better. To make myself apart of this group again and my old lifestyle!
Sorry to hear your pup gave herself a painful sore. Mine are like my kids....well ok, they are my kids as I have no human children. Lol.
It is never easy to see them go through stress or pain.
The good news is, it sounds as if you and someone else are trying to drink less together? Or at least recognizing what triggers the drinking urge at times?
You have your foot in the door, so that is a good direction.
Yes! My pups are my kids as well, I dont have children so my dogs are definitely my children lol it's so sad and hard because I have to keep a cone on her now unless I am with her and able to watch her closely. But yes my husband and I are both trying to cut way back and not use drinking as a stress relieving mechanism. I know for me stress and my own personal anxiety is a trigger.3 -
She has the cone of shame
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@WinoGelato aw I love that! I'm totally going to start using that now! I just think of the movie Up when its used as the shame term, I always picture the cute dog Doug lol2
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Hi everyone! I'm on day 7 of no alcohol and feeling good. My husband has also been cutting back which is awesome! It's so much easier to not drink when your spouse is not drinking either. I had a great holiday because I stayed home and did NOTHING and it was glorious! I'm always on the go, so it was so nice to just stay home and have nowhere to go and nothing to do for once. Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend.
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I didn't mean for my last post to be a bummer--I tried to edit, but don't see a way to do that. I want to share what a week of not drinking has done for me: my face is no longer red, my zits are gone, lost 3 pounds, hiked on a Sat without wanting to heave Friday's martinis, was able to be a sober (aka useful) boat co-captain (and photographer) during a major t-storm, saved $50ish, am sleeping beautifully, and I LOVE waking up in the morning.
Maybe if I keep this up, I'll pose in a bikini on this boat.
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Mainelylisa, great post. Cool stuff. Thanks for inspiring me!3
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@mainelylisa ...if you have the nerve to be out on the Maine waters in a bikini, you can do just about anything. I spent many hours last summer with my oldest and her husband on his lobsta' boat, and "bikini" never entered my mind !!
Thanks for the awesome photo, and the inspiration.5 -
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Back from a wonderful holiday and while on a very long day hike, some thoughts came to mind, about what is my next direction. I realized some important elements in my life were missing. There are voids in my life. Kids grown and gone. Dog passed away. The empty nest. I was filling those voids with food and beverage. So sharing this with you given it's a healthy thing to stop and contemplate and really focus on designing your best life and what's needed to make it a happy and fulfilling one. Fill it with good things. When it's off track, humans naturally "fill it" artificially but we know this is not the long term solution. When we get to the "root cause", good things happen. Solution is different for all us, but I hope you are inspired to find your happiness and your direction.10
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I struggle with alcohol. And I could use the encouragement and ideas to keep it under control. I am not currently working at this time and depression and anxiety certainly play a part. I know I can’t go cold turkey, but would appreciate support in cutting down. Thank you.9
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@GretaGirl8 We are here, and many have struggled with depression and anxiety--both of which are often medicated/numbed with alcohol. Please check out the resources here. This is a wonderfully supportive and non-judgmental community. I've been laid off several times and it can not only be concerning financially, but really can mess with your self-esteem. You are not your job. Take advantage of this time to take stock of your life and where you want to go from here. Sometimes it's easier to exercise without a taxing work schedule--the more you exercise, the less you'll want to sabotage your progress with over-indulgence.4
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@globalhiker It sounds like filling your days with some amazing hikes is a FABULOUS way to fill some of the void left by loved ones who are no longer part of your daily life. And we can't design our meaningful lives while in a numb state. Or probably even a comfortable state. Thanks for sharing...3
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7/4 - AF
7/5 - bad
7/6 - kept to my goal of waiting till night time, however had more than I wanted. But better then the night before so thats good.
Today's goal is allowing one night cap but ultimately I will push for AF today.4 -
I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )
May - 18 AF days
June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time.
July 01 - AF
July 02 - AF - Guess that I will start my tally at the bottom : - ) I realize now that 16AF days (4 per week) in a 31 day month is like having drinks every second day!
July 03 - AF - Today was no problem to be AF, but yesterday was a long hard day and I really felt like kicking back and having a couple of drinks - I just didn't. I even bought some of that fake beer that I have heard some of you talking about (I got Grolsch) - but it didn't occur to me to go to the fridge and have it. I am not a beer drinker, so I guess that it wouldn't have really been a substitute for a brandy or a glass of red wine : - P
July 04 - 3 drinks
July 05 - AF
July 06 - 3 drinks
Running total: 4 AF days out of 6 days so far.1 -
@mainelylisa
What a fabulous photograph!! You definitely wouldn't want to stay out on the lake with a storm like that, but so beautiful.
You have an hour to edit a post, in the top right there is a little icon that looks like "settings" which you can click and a drop-down of "edit" appears and you have to click it.
Your post wasn't a bummer, we are all sharing stuff : - )
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Yesterday at 6:12PM Hubbie texts and says he is finished at work, come get him. So I zipped right down(he can not drive due to drinking and driving from as far back as 13 years ago), thinking gee he had to work an hour over, must have been busy at work for him.
WRONG. He quit at 5:00PM and had been sitting at the pub pounding tequila shots until I arrived. The bartender just kept pouring, no regaurd for his slurring and stupidness.
Just GREAT because now I have to be the one (not the bartender) that is being harrassed by a man who has already been diagnosed with liver cirohsis and by then the toxins from the tequila that could not be filtered from his half marbleized liver are causing him to experience encephalopathy.
He rambled angerly for 3+ hours. Of course everything according to Hubbie at that time was, is and in the future will be my fault.
It was not a fun evening and I am a zombie today and can not even enjoy this sunny day..
@mainelylisa I apologize for not getting back to you during that time😥14 -
@MissMay I'm so very sorry for your situation...can't imagine. You're such a support to us here, but please make sure you get support and take care of yourself. Thank you for sharing such a personal story. Hugs and more hugs...we are here for you too...3
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